Dogs are often called “man’s best friend.” However, it is important to remember that they are animals, and capable of inflicting serious injury to you if they bite or knock you down. If you were injured by a dog, you have the right to seek damages and should hire a lawyer to protect your legal interests.
Schedule a consultation with an experienced and competent attorney today. If you are hospitalized or incapacitated, call the Snow Law Firm at (508) 477-7100 and Attorney Snow will arrange to meet with you.
In Massachusetts, dog owners are generally held strictly liable for dog bites unless the attack resulted from tormenting the dog. Children under the age of seven are presumed incapable of causing a dog to attack.
Massachusetts Dog Liability Statue:
M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 Liability for damage caused by dog; minors; presumption and burden of proof
Section 155. If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.
If you have been bitten by a dog, seek medical care immediately, even if the wound does not look serious. Because of the bacteria in dogs’ mouths, dog bites can lead to serious infections.
It is also important to take pictures of the wound immediately after the attack and during the healing process. These pictures will serve as evidence of your dog bit injuries during settlement proceedings or at trial.
Call your town’s animal control officer to obtain the identity of the dog’s owner and rabies vaccination history.
If the attack was from a dog owned by a family member, friend or neighbor, you should realize that compensation in these cases is covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy.
If you are bitten by a tenant’s dog and seek to hold the landlord liable, (because the tenant does not have insurance coverage) you will want to inquire whether the dog has a history of injuring people.
You may not want to come across as one of those dog bite victims, but it’s important to remember that not taking action may lead to others being hurt by the same dog.
Enthusiastic or rambunctious dogs are capable of causing serious injuries if they jump on you and knock you to the ground. When this happens, it’s likely that a leash law has been violated and the dog’s owner can be held liable.
Call your town’s animal control officer to report the violation and obtain the identity of the dog’s owner.
In this instance, the owner of the dog will also be afforded coverage under a homeowner’s insurance policy, which is the source of compensation for your injury.
A dog related injury on Cape Cod is a traumatic experience which can result in multiple damages. Your dog related claim will seek compensation for the following medical expenses:
Dog related injuries may result in claims for lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, and permanency of injury. In addition, dog related injuries also cause also cause physical pain, mental suffering and emotional trauma.
Attorney Snow is experienced in handling dog injury claims that cause:
Attorney Snow takes dog injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means he does not receive a fee unless he successfully secures a settlement, award, or jury verdict on your behalf. You will not have to pay any upfront costs and will not be charged for out-of-pocket expenses until your case is resolved.
If you, your spouse, significant other, partner or child has been injured by a dog on Cape Cod, call the Snow Law Firm today at (508) 477-7100. Or, if you prefer, complete our contact form and we’ll be in touch to schedule a free consultation.
From his office in Mashpee, Attorney Steven Snow represents clients throughout Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, including clients residing in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties.
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